The opposition Lithuanian Social Democratic Party appealed to the country’s officials last week, urging them to stop the reform of the healthcare network and to start a detailed and public review of it, to carry out an evidence-based assessment. The ruling conservatives rejected the criticism.
“Not a single reform passes without resistance, this is a major systemic change and apparently the ministry must prepare for such a change, first of all, by its arguments, by providing information, above all to those who will be affected by that reform,” the Speaker of the Seimas told LRT on Wednesday. “It gives the impression that it was not fully done and it is being explained when it has already been started, perhaps a little late.”
“I can’t answer why this happened, the ministry should be asked here, but obviously answers are needed, information is needed,” she added.
Recently, there have been reports of resignations of managers and doctors in different health care institutions. Former Minister of Health Aurelijs Veryga linked some of these cases to the ongoing reform.
V. Čmilytė-Nielsen, for her part, urged not to confuse these situations.
“The fact that there are questions, there is dissatisfaction with the changes, this is apparently natural. It really shouldn’t be confused with those individual cases, sometimes dictated by the political conjuncture, when, say, the management leaves or a group of doctors leave one or another hospital. Those things are not necessarily related, and usually they are not,” she said.
The health care reform was approved by the Seimas last year, after its implementation it is promised to provide more ambulatory services at the place of residence of patients and to reduce hospitalization.
New entities will be created in municipalities – health centers that would take care of public health, provide ambulatory health care services, emergency medical assistance, day services, inpatient services for internal diseases, and engage in long-term care.
However, part of the municipalities and the medical institutions themselves claim that the restructuring does not take into account the development of the network of medical institutions carried out so far, and as a result services will decrease in some regions.
#Speaker #Seimas #health #reform #sufficiently #explained #affect
What are the primary concerns raised by the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party regarding the ongoing healthcare reform, and how do these concerns reflect public sentiment?
**Interview with Dr. Elena Šuminas, Healthcare Policy Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Šuminas. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party recently called for a halt to the ongoing healthcare reform. What are your thoughts on their concerns?
**Dr. Šuminas:** Thank you for having me. The opposition’s call for a pause and a detailed public review of the healthcare reform highlights significant anxieties within the community. They emphasize the need for an evidence-based review, which is crucial when implementing such sweeping changes to the healthcare system. The call for transparency and public engagement is vital, especially when many stakeholders, including healthcare workers and patients, feel uncertain about these reforms.
**Interviewer:** Speaker of the Seimas mentioned that no reform is free from resistance and that the ministry should have prepared better to explain these changes. How do you see this dynamic affecting the reform’s implementation?
**Dr. Šuminas:** That’s an interesting point. Major systemic reforms often face pushback because they disrupt established practices. The ministry indeed has a responsibility to communicate the rationale and anticipated benefits clearly. If the communication is seen as inadequate or late, as the Speaker suggested, it can create mistrust and anxiety among those affected, including medical professionals. The remarks from former Minister Aurelijs Veryga about resignations linked to the reform underscore just how critical effective communication and change management are in these situations.
**Interviewer:** There have been reports of resignations among managers and doctors. What implications do you think this might have on the healthcare system if the trend continues?
**Dr. Šuminas:** Continuous resignations can severely strain the healthcare system, exacerbating an already challenging situation. It could lead to staff shortages, reduced morale among remaining staff, and ultimately impact patient care. If these resignations are rooted in dissatisfaction with the reform process, it signals that the ministry must engage more actively with medical professionals to address their concerns and insightfully incorporate their feedback into the reform process.
**Interviewer:** Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen urged not to confuse dissatisfaction with these reforms with other issues in the healthcare system. Do you think this division is possible to maintain in public discourse?
**Dr. Šuminas:** It’s certainly a challenging task. Public perception often connects various issues, and as the healthcare landscape evolves, so do the narratives surrounding it. The ministry must work diligently to differentiate between general dissatisfaction and specific issues stemming directly from the reform. This involves not just addressing immediate concerns, but also fostering a dialog with healthcare providers and the public, ensuring everyone understands the broader context of the reform.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Šuminas, for sharing your insights on this critical issue. It’s clear that the dialog surrounding the healthcare reform will need to continue to ensure a smooth transition and maintain trust among all stakeholders involved.
**Dr. Šuminas:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pivotal moment for Lithuania’s healthcare system, and constructive dialog is essential for its success.
